The report said Gabriel ran a red light and was considered at fault but that no citation was issued because of conflicting statements from witnesses. Gabriel said he had a green light, according to the report.

Stoplights at all Midtown intersections along the rail tracks are supposed to turn red in each direction when the train approaches. Roberts said a video of the accident shows the stoplight was red from the train operator's viewpoint, but the trains are allowed to pass if the bar signal is vertical.

Rodolfo Castro a passenger riding near the front of the train, said he and other riders ran to the other side of the car when they saw the truck approaching. The middle portion of the three-section train was knocked off the track, but was soon restored. The pickup was damaged, and a signpost in the track median was leveled.